Elevating device for use with embroidering-machines.



M. SOHOENFELD. ELEVATING DEVICE FOR USE WITH BMBROIDERING MACHINES.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 8, 1910. 1,086,469.

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Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

M. SCHOENFELD. ELEVATING DEVICE FOR USE WITH BMBROIDERING MACHINES. 'APPLIOATION FILED OCT. 8, 1910.

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MORRIS SCI-IOENFELD, 0F RORSCHACH, SWITZERLAND.

ELEVATING DEVICE FOR USE WITH EMBROIDERING-MACHINES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 10, 1914.

Application filed October 8, 1910. Serial No. 585,946.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MORRIS SoHoENFnLD,

a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Rorschach, in theCanton of St. Gall, Switzerland, have invented new and usefulImprovements in Elevating Devices for Use with Embroidering-Wachines, ofwhich the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to movable supporting means for supportingand conveying the workwomen or attendant in charge of the variousworking elements and mechanisms of an embroidering machine, and thepresent invention is adapted for embroidering machines of the very largetype wherein several hundred needles are arranged in longitudinal rows,one above the other. It has been customary to build such machines withthe needles and their cooperating parts in two parallel longitudinalrows and as the machines have been of great length it was necessary forthe attendants to walk along the front or rear of the machine for thepurpose of observing the condition of the working elements of themachine, to replace shuttles, arrange the threads and for a number ofother details. Usually the attendant walked along the floor at the rearor front of the machine to observe the condition of the parts in thelower row of mechanisms and mounted a stationary running board andwalkedthereon to observe the condition of the second or top row ofmechanisms. In walking along the machine to observe the various partsthe attendant had either to walk partly sidewise or else turn the headto observe the parts of the machine and as the attendant is obliged tocontinually observe the various parts their attention is taken upthereby and they are not able to fully control the operations of themachine in the perfect manner possible under the present invention.Lately machines have been designed wit-h as many as six superimposedrows of needle and other mechanisms and the problem of taking care ofthe threads and other devices has become a more difficult one as therows are closer together and the height of the machine is greater thanheretofore. It would hardly be sufiicient to multiply the number ofstationary running boards to support the attendants in differentpositions for so many rows of instruments because they would obstructthe machine and the attendants could not cover all parts of the machinehandily.

Inv other words the increase in size of the machine raises the questionas to Whether the attendants could properly cover the entire machine intheir observations in a practical way. I have therefore devised a devicefor supporting and transporting the attendant at the front and ifdesired at the rear of the machine in such a way that withoutmultiplying the number of running boards beyond practical limits, theattendant can move to various positions throughout the machine for thepurpose of observing its operations and attending the parts very readilyand with as little distraction from the work and with as little bodilyexertion as possible.

I have provided a device for transporting the attendant mechanically, sothat the attendant can face the work at all times and devote herattention to the embroidering ma chine.

My invention contemplates a transporting device for transporting aperson in a movement up and down in front or rear of the machine orlongitudinally along the machine or both of these.

By transporting the attendant mechanically to the different parts of themachine the attendant is not only able to cover more ground andtherefore increase her efficiency but full attention can be given to themachine and its operation. Furthermore, there is not so much obstructionof the machine parts.

In the drawings forming a part of this application, Figure 1 is a frontelevation of an embroidering machine frame and my improved device in thepreferred form, Fig. 2 is a cross section thereof, showing,diagrammatically, the various rows of embroideringmechanisms, Fig. 8 isa cross sec tion of the supporting and conveying device, Fig. l is asimilar View showing oppositely moving carrying element-s, Fig. 5 is afront elevation of one end of an embroidering machine with my improvedde' vice, wherein the mechanism for raising and lowering the platform ismodified, Fig. 6 is a similar view of another modified form of raisingand lowering mechanism.

My invention embodies features which are susceptible of separate andconjointuse and while I will describe the preferred embodiment of myinvention with the several features used conjointly it is my intentionto cover my invention where the features are separately used. In a broadsense the purpose is the same whether the supporting structure forsupporting the person attending the machine is adapted to be movedmechanically in a vertical or horizontal clirection and I have shown mydevice constructed for vertical movement and again for horizontalmovement but in the preferred form of my invention I have shown the mainpart of the supporting structure movable vertically while conveyingmecha nism moving therewith is adapted to convey the person horizontallyas well.

In Fig. 1, I have shown the frame of an embroidering machine of highconstruction, according to the later developments in the construction ofembroidering machines and the construction is carried tosuch a heightthat many rows of embroidering mechanisms such as the needles andshuttles are arranged in say as many as six superim posed rows, as shownin Fig. 2. The frame is here shown consisting of the upright standards1, and 3, arranged at regular intervals throughout the length of themachine at the front and rear, the standards 1 being the end standardswhile 8 are the intermediate standards. They are connected preferably attop and bottom by longitudinal bars 4, 5, 6, and 7, which space thestandards apart and form therewith a rigid whole. The standards arepreferably united at the top by substantial connecting beams such as 8in Fig. 2 and 9 in Fig. 5. This construction is not controlling, as theconstruction of the frame may vary in different machines.

In the drawings I haveshown my improved supporting structure arrangedalong the front of the machine, that is, on the front of that side ofthe machine fromwhich the needles operate as this side of the machinerequires the most attention; but it is understood that the same devicemay be applied on the rear or shuttle side of the machine as well, bysimply duplicating the construction.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown suitable guiding rails 10 of angle metalwhich are preferably vertically disposed and they have a guiding flange11, there being one such guiding rail at each end of the machine andtheir flanges face each other; and between these two flanges the movablesupporting structure is guided.

The structure for conveying the person in the up and down movement isdisposed longitudinally in front of and parallel with the machine andconsists of a platform, which is provided with a suitable guard or railconstruction 13 which is designed to prevent the person falling towardthe machine or from falling backward off the structure and for thispurpose I prefer to arrange the several rails 13 along the front andrear edges of the platform so that the person travels between the two.They are of sufiicient height to protect the person from accidentand yetlow enough to permit the person to attend the working of the machine.The attendant can take hold of the rails to steady herself at any time.In Figs. 1 and 2 this platform is shown vertically movable with relationto the embroidering machine and in order to guide the platform in auniform path I have provided rollers 14 and 15 at each end of the guardrail construction which engage the flanges 11 on the several guides 10at the opposite ends of the machine. The platform is adapted to movefrom a point near the floor to such a height as will permit theattendant to reach the uppermost mechanisms of the machine and it may beplaced at any position internediate of these two extremes, whereas inthe former fixed constructions a great deal of stooping by the attendantwas necessary and the parts of the machine were therefore difficult toreach even when there was a running board for each row of needles.

I have provided mechanical means for raising and lowering the platformconstruction which is in the control of the attendant while the latteris at various positions on the platform.

In Figs. 1 and 2 I have shown a shaft 16 disposed longitudinally at thetop of the machine which is suitably supported upon extensions of themachine structure and the shaft 16 is provided at various points,preferably over the several standards, with winding drums 18 over whichengagethe several cables or chains 19 which are connected at variouspoints throughout the length of the platform structure, say to the guardrail 13, by means of a loop 20 fastened thereto. The supporting flexiblemembers 19 are so arranged that they support the platform structure inparallelism throughout and they are adapted to raise and lower the sameat the will of the attendant. At one end of the shaft 16 I have shown amotor 21 geared by the gear 22 to the shaft, which latter the motor isadapted to revolve in either direction. The motor is provided with astarting and reversing lever which is weighted by the weight 245. Fromthis lever runs a controlling rope 25 which passes around a roller 26 atone end of the platform structure and then along the latter, at a heightconvenient for the operator to clutch it, and then over a roller 27 atthe opposite end of the platform structure and the free end is connected with a weighted take up arm 28, near the floor. As the platformmoves up and down the starting and reversing rope is not affected by themovement of the platform, but the rope is always accessible to theattendant for starting, stopping or reversing the movement of theplatform. The operator can control the movements of the platform bypulling the rope either to the right or left.

In order to make it possible to convey the attendant in a directionlongitudinally of the machine by mechanical means as well as verticallyI have prrwided a traveling member or members in the nature of anendless belt. At the ends of the platform structure I have provideddepending journal blocks 29 in which journal the shafts 30 laterally ofthe platform and on these are carried the pulleys 31 and 32, theperipheries of which at the top come near the surface of the runningboards 12. There is arranged an endless conveying element consisting, inthe present showing of a belt 33, which travels around the pulleys 31,32, and this travels between the two boards 12 and over a base plate 34,disposed under the boards 12, where it will prevent any undue sagging ofthe belt. At least one of the shafts 30 is provided with a worm gearwhich latter meshes with a worm 36 on a shaft 37, supported by a bracket38 on the frame of the platform and by the motor 37 the shaft 37 isadapted to be revolved in either direction. I have provided a hand rope39 for controlling the revolution of the shaft 37 and therefore thedirection of move ment of the belt 33. The operation of this form of myinvention is as follows: The attcndant mounts the running board andstands on the boards 12. When it is desired to move up for the purposeof observing one of the upper rows of embroidering mechanisms theattendant moves the rope 25 and thereby the motor is caused to operateupon the shaft 16 and revolve the latter. As the supporting elements 19wind on the drums 18 the platform as a whole is elevated, until thedesired height is reached, when the attendant pulls the rope 25 in theopposite direction and stops the motor. The platform will then remain atsuch height, subject to the control of the attendant. Having positionedthe structure at the proper height the attendant observes the mechanismsof the embroidering machine and attends to any parts requiringattention. If the attendant desires to move to a different positionlongitudinally of the machine to carry out her operations she simplypulls the rope 39 and thereby the shaft 37, and through the worm 36 andworm gear35,the pulleys 31,32, are set inmotion, the direction of whichwill depend upon the direction in which the attendant pulls the rope 39.When the pulleys 31, 32, revolve the endless belt 33 travelslongitudinally of the machine and the attendant can then step on thebelt, when she will be moved longitudinally of the machine, at theheight at which the structure is then stationed. If the attendantdesires to travel in a reverse direction she pulls the rope 39 in areverse direction and the belt will then be reversed and by steppingthereon she will be carried opposite to the first movement. In this waythe attendant can pass along the machine for attending to all of thevarious parts of one row of embroidering devices, without having towall; along the machine and the entire attention can be devoted to theembroidering mechanisms and much more ground can be covered by oneattendant. If the attendant afterward de sires to observe another row ofembroidering mechanisms she simply pulls the controlling rope 25 ineither direction, according to the position she wishes to place theplatform in, when the shaft 16 will move the platform either up or down.In this way the attendant controls her position before the machine andher vertical position is controlled independently of her horizontalposition. 1 prefer to employ this arrangement in preference to just afixed board 12, as the facilities for controlling the machine are muchgreater.

In Fig. 4 I have shown a plurality of pulleys 31 arranged side by sideat each end of the platform and there is an independent belt 33 33traveling over each set of pulleys, one of which is adapted to bepropelled in a right hand direction and the other in. a left handdirection. By stepping on one or the other of these belts the attendantcan move to the right or left along the machine as desired. In thisconstruction the operator or attendant in starting the pulleys and beltsneed pay no attention to the starting rope except to start or stop themechanism, as the direction of the respective belts will be always thesame. The attendant determines the movement of her body by selecting theparticular belt on which she stands.

In Fig. 5 I have shown a modified form of raising mechanism for raisingand lower ing the platform structure. Here I have shown the supportingelements 19 connected to support the frame of the platform at variouspoints throughout its length and these engage over idlers 10, disposedalong the machine. After passing over the idlers the supporting elementswind on or off the drum ll which is common to the several support ingelements. This drum is shown supported upon a suitable journal block d2at the top of the machine and it is propelled by a belt 43 from theshaft 1 i, supported say on the ceiling of the workroom. So far as theremainder of the mechanism is concerned it may be the same as in Figs. 1and 2.

In Fig. 6 I have shown still another form of device for raising andlowering the platform structure. Here I have shown a screw shaft 45which I duplicate at various intervals along the machine, which isadapted to be revolved in its upper and lower journals a6 and 47. At apoint preferably below the floor I have arranged an operating shaft l8,having a gear 49 which miters with the gear 50, on the lower end of theshaft 45, and by which the latter is revolved. The direction ofrevolution of the shaft 48 and therefore the direction of the shaft tois controlled by the direction of operation of the motor 51 which is inthe control of the attendant the same as before. In this case theplatform is provided with an interiorly threaded journal 52 whichsurrounds the shaft 45. By setting the motor 51 in operation the shaftis revolved and by reason of its threads operating on the thread of thejournal 52, the platform structure is moved up or down, according to thedirection of motion of the motor 51, which is controlled by theoperator. Any desired number of shafts similar to shaft 45 may besimilarly arranged along the machine and be operated from shaft 48. Thisform of mechanism for operating the platform is very positive and steadyand the guides 10 of the first construction are unnecessary.

In all forms of the device there is a mechanical means for moving theattendant either vertically or horizontally or both, of the machine, insuch relation thereto that the attendant can observe the working of thevarious parts of the machine and attend to the same.

Various changes may be made in the structure without departing from thespirit and scope of my invention.

Having described my invention what I claim is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising a longitudinallydisposed platform structure adapted to support a person, means wherebysaid structure may be mechanically raised and lowered, and a con tinuousmovable band or the like, disposed near the platform and movabletherewith and adapted to be propelled in a direction longitudinally ofthe platform structure.

2. A device of the character described, comprising a longitudinallydisposed plat form structure adapted to support a person, means wherebysaid structure may be mechanically raised and lowered, a continu ousmovable band or the like, disposed near the platform and movabletherewith and adapted to be propelled in a direction longitudinally ofthe platform structure and means movable with the platform structure,adapted to control the movements of the platform structure and saidmovable band.

3. A device of the character described, comprising a longitudinallydisposed platform structure, adapted to support a person, means wherebysaid structure may be mechanically raised and lowered, means foroperating the same, a plurality of adjacent conveying belts or the likedisposed near and movable with the platform, and means for operatingsaid belts longitudinally of the platform structure.

at. A device of the character described, comprising a vertically movablelongitudinally disposed platform structure, means near the ends thereoffor guiding the platform structure, means for mechanically raising andlowering the platform structure, said plat-form structure having a basefor supporting a person at various points throughout the structure,pulleys mounted to travel with the platform structure, a continuousconveying element disposed near the supporting base of the platform andadapt-- ed to travel over the said pulleys in a direction longitudinallyof the platform structure and means for operating said pulleys. Signedat St. Gall, in the Canton of St. Gall, Switzerland, this 6 day of Sptember MORRIS SCHOENFELD. Witnesses RANDALL ATKINSON, ALBERT PHILLIPS.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

